Random Thoughts for Random People

I hope that you have noticed that I haven’t been posting over the past few weeks. The reason? I was fired from my job. Not only was I rather embarrassed by the fact that I was fired, but I also happen to do most of my blogging at work. Don’t worry, the two are not related.

You see, I have been suffering from depression for the last couple of years. Actually according to my psychologist it is a much longer time period, it has just gotten really bad since Dante was born. I have been trying to receive treatment from my GP for the past year or so, but the medications have been difficult to determine. I have started a new treatment recently with my Psychologist that seems to be doing better (neuro feedback).

As a result of my illness, my immune system has been suppressed. Therefore I have been sick more often and it has taken longer to get over the illness. Also, the mear fact of being depressed has made it difficult for me to go to work. This has resulted in my missing a little time (ok, 24 days in the past six months – granted most of that was due to a drug reaction). Although I have missed time, I have also worked a lot of overtime when I have been there. To be exact, over that same period I worked an extra 96 hours (12 days worth).

Unfortunately the person who made the decision didn’t give me a chance to explain. She didn’t know me, or the quantity or quality of work that I accomplished. She just terminated me after I called in sick one too many times. I want to stress that I enjoyed my job, and with the obvious exception I liked the people I worked with.

So, why am I posting now? I got a new job. I was unemployed for an entire 8 work days (although I do have another week off while people do their paperwork). I’m doing the same work, just for a manufacturing company (Ingersol-Rand). It’s a short term contract, but the pay is pretty good and the job looks interesting and challenging. I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my professional career and I hope against hope that they will decide to extend my contract. If not, I guess I will be back on the unemployment line around Christmas. I guess there are worse things though.

About

Dante – a three year old autistic boy. Sometimes referred to as “Mini Matt”

Melody – an 18 month old with speech delays (but not autistic)

I have a beautiful wife who is my college sweetheart.

I have been living in the wonderful city of Charlotte, NC for the past three years…and I am quite happy with the area.

My occupation is as a Software Test Engineer. Since most people don’t know what that is, I can tell you that, essentially, I break software for a living. More specifically, I search for defects in software for a living. For the most part I enjoy my job, but I am constantly wondering if I wouldn’t be happier doing something else.

My favorite author is, without doubt, Isaac Asimov. However, I don’t read that much. I am a member of the Nintendo generation and enjoy watching TV and playing video games much more enjoyable than reading.

I graduated from James Madison University in 1998 and Waynesboro High School/CSVRGS (Central Shenandoah Valley Regional Governor’s School) in 1994.

I have recently taken up knitting, which is calming, but also pretty dull. I am currently working on a JMU/WHS scarf to wear to football games. Both school’s colors are Purple and Gold (convenient, no?).

I pride myself on my own quirky sense of humor and intelligence and curse my laziness. All perfectly normal I’m sure.

My favorite music is Country, Soft Rock and Oldies (and that is pretty much it). My favorite date with my wife is to go to the movies. Though we also go bowling and to putt-putt.

My favorite foods are Pizza and Buffalo Wings (when I can find good ones).